Cabinet and closure means for dispensing type vehicles



Jan. 31, 1961 J. SCHILLINGER CABINET AND CLOSURE MEANS FOR DISPENSING TYPE VEHICLES Filed March 18. 1959 INVENTOR.

JACK SCHILLINGER w Q1 ATTORNEY PM ILIE;

United States Patent 0 CABINET AND CLOSURE MEANS FOR DISPENSING TYPE VEHICLES Jack Schillinger, 1225 NE. 93rd St., Miami, Fla.

Filed Mar. 18, 1959, Ser. No. 800,191 1 Claim. (Cl. 296-37) This invention relates to a closure device and particularly a closure device for housing the conventional pumping and dispensing elements employed at the rear end of conventional tank trucks of the type employed to dispense volatile fluids, such as gasoline or the like.

The invention contemplates a horizontally pivoted arcuate type of cover that is adapted to be shifted for simultaneously disclosing all of the elements carried within the device and with the device, when shifted to a closure forming position, functioning to effectively house or protect the several elements against weather conditions or unauthorized access.

Novel features of construction and operation of the device will be more clearly apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein has been illustrated a preferred form of the device and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout the several figures.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view from the rear end of a tank truck, showing the closure device in a closed position,

Figure 2 is a section taken substantially on line 2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 33 of Figure 2 and,

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view illustrating in detail a weathering flange formed upon the cover device and a cooperating weathering flange carried by a fixed cover of the truck.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a supporting frame, formed of channel iron or the like and that extends across the width of the truck and along the sides thereof. The frame device is adapted to support a deck plate 6. The compartment, indicated by the numeral 7 is defined by a rear wall 8, end walls 9 and an inclined cover 10. The cover 10 terminates at its forward edge in a vertical flange 11 that extends for the full width of the cover, to be connected to the end walls 9. The free edges of the end walls 9 are preferably flanged at 12, to impart rigidity thereto.

Supported upon the end walls 9, for horizontal pivotal movement, is an arcuate shield 13, having its free edges flanged at 14 and 15. The flanges 14 and 15 extend for substantially the full length of the shield 13. The flange 14 extends inwardly, while the flange 15 extends upwardly to have a contacting weathering engagement with the flange 11 when the shield is in the closed position. The shield 13 at its opposite ends is provided with flat end walls 16 that are pivotally connected at 17 upon bearing pins 18 carried by the end walls 9. The shield 13 and the end walls 16 are suitably reenforced at 19 to prevent undue flexing thereof. The upper cover 10 intermediate its width is provided with a latch housing 20, carrying a downwardly projecting latch dog 21 that is disposed in the path of swinging movement of the flange 15 and whereby to latch the shield against unauthorized entry to the compartment 7. The latch device is of conventional construction and is controlled in a normal manner by a suitable key device. The latch dog 21 is biased downwardly by a suitable spring, whereby the latch dog may be shifted upwardly when engaged by the flange 15 to permit the flange to engage therebehind. Suitable bumper devices 22 are carried by the deck plate 6 for engagement by the flange 15 when the shield is swung to an open position. The cover device constitutes an extension of a suitable structure whereon is disposed the conventional tanks 23. The usual pumping and registering devices, control mechanisms and the conventional dispensing hose reel are adapted to be supported within the compartment 7, such being common equipment for fuel dispensing trucks. The shield 13, at a point adjacent the flange 14 is provided with suitable hand grips 24, through the medium of which the cover may be opened and closed. The bearing pins 18 are bolted or otherwise fixedly engaged with respect to the end walls 9.

In use, the cover is normally maintained in a latched position by the latch dog 21. When access to the compartment 7 is desired, a key is inserted within the latch device 20, retracting the latch dog 21 at which time the operator engages the hand grips 24 and bodily shifts the shield around the pivots 17 to the point where the flange 15 will rest upon the bumpers 22 in which position, the device is in the fully opened position and presenting the several control elements for dispensing the fuel within the tanks 23. After a predetermined quantity of fuel has been dispensed, the mechanism within the housing 7 is deactivated and the feed hose is rewound upon the reel, at which time the operator shifts the shield 13 forwardly and downwardly upon the the pivots 17 to the point where the flange 14 engages the desk plate 6 in which position, the flange 15 has engaged the latch dog 21 and latched with respect thereto. The contacting engagement of the flange 14 with the deck plate and the contacting engagement of the flange 15 behind the flange 11, establishes a very definite weather seal for the mechanism disposed within the housing. While not necessary to be illustrated, the applicant contemplates any suitable spring means whereby the closure door is counterbalanced to facilitate its movement to and from a closure forming position.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a very desirable and convenient closure device has been provided for control mechanisms employed upon the rear of a tank truck. The shifting of the shield 13 simultaneously discloses all of the mechanism employed for the dispensing of the fuel. Closure devices heretofore employed have usually provided generally rectangular cabinets, having hinged doors that swing outwardly and project beyond the sides of the truck, forming definite hazards. With the device of this invention, a single access shield of arcuate form is employed to simultaneously cover and uncover the several control elements. The device is simple in construction, is strong, durable, ornamental in appearance and is most effective as a closure for the usual compartments employed in dispensing trucks.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction shown, but that changes are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit of the invention as shall be determined by the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A utility compartment for the dispensing end of fuel dispensing trucks, the compartment being defined by a top having a weathering flange formed on a free edge, an inner wall, end walls and a bottom, the bottom constituting a deck for the reception of dispensing elements, the compartment being open real-wardly for its full width, a'closure device for the opening :that is co-extensive with the opening, the closure device beingan'ar'cuate cover having flat end walls that are pivotally supported upon the end walls of the compartment and whereby the cover is pivoted in a horizontal plane to be shiftable in a vertical plane to and from a covering position with respect to the opening of the compartment, one marginal edge of the cover having a contacting engagement with the deck when in a closure forming position, and means formed upon the opposite marginal edge of the cover to engage the weathering flange on the free edge of the top, the said arcuate cover upon one free edge being provided with an inwardly directed flange for its full width, the opposite free edge of the cover being provided with an outwardly directed flange for its full width and that contacts the flange of the top in full weathering engagement, the top being downwardly inclined to terminate in the flange and latch means carried by the top intermediate its width and with the latch having an inwardly directed latch dog which when extended lies iii the path of movement of the outwardly directed flange formed on the cover, said dog, when extended, serving to confine the outwardly directed flange on the cover between it and the Weathering flange to hold the cover in a closed position, and bumper devices carried upon the deck adjacent the inner wall and that are disposed in the path of movement of the first named flange of the cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 509,479 Mayer Nov. 28, 1893 812,343 Horner Feb. 13, 1906 1,080,478 Reis Dec. 2, 1913 1,680,962 Voshardt Aug, 14, 1928 1,895,832 Zucca Jan. 31, 1933 2,030,407 Serisky Feb. 11, 1936 2,202,277 Visser May 28, 1940 2,878,957 Cicero May 24, 1959 

